I am x-rayed up and the good news is I am now at 80% recovery. That means I can do light weights and high-fives. I cannot do downward dogs, no idea what they are, but apparently, it’s harsh on my centrifugal forces.
In other news, Mikhi, is going hard at the doubters.
“Everyone has their own opinion. We know very well what we are playing for and how we have to play.
“If we are just going to kick the ball up front and wait for God to give us a chance to score, it’s not necessary.
“The only thing we have to do is to work hard, believe in ourselves and use the chances we create to score goals.”
I like his mindset. It’s interesting how many people are questioning whether he can play in the same side as Ozil. Matt on the pod went hard on this one. I’ve heard people say the same about Ozil and Ramsey as well. Then you start thinking about how sensitive the Ozil ecosystem has to be to function.
Remember last season when we were all purring over Ozil feeding Lacazette? Then that didn’t work out. Then we were all purring over Ozil and Auba, and that didn’t work out. I’m kind of getting a little bit worried about the German and his ability to function at Arsenal.
I see this season going one of two ways, he’s either going to click and make the magic happen, or he’s going to fade away like Wayne Bridge and Winston Bogarde did. The scene is set for a tap out. His rep has been soiled in Germany, he’s just landed a mega contract at Arsenal, his new manager is asking him to do things he’d rather not do. I hope I’m wrong and he comes back in from the cold, but it’s not looking good at this second.
Mustafi has given Bernd Leno the dreaded vote of confidence.
‘I know Bernd very well because we played together since the Under-15s German team, so I have known him for a long time,’ said the centre-back. ‘He is a brilliant goalkeeper. He has everything a modern keeper needs: good feet, good hands and he has personality.’
I really hope we haven’t made a shoddy signing there. To be honest, I’m more than happy to have Petr Cech creating absolute magic between the sticks at the minute. That’s a player who has fully embraced a new system, if he can do it at 36, Ozil can do some tracking at 29.
Jack Wilshere is saying Jack Wilshere things in the press.
“It’s down to me to prove a point to Arsenal that they were wrong to get rid of me,”
Think he’s said that at the start of the season for the last 5 years and never proved it out. The West Ham game isn’t about him, it’s about Arsenal dishing out a thumping and Emery proving out his methods. I really hope it’s a Pelligrini #disasterclass.
Right, that’s all I have for you today, make sure you tune into our podcast below. We’re back in business.
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Also Emirates Arsenal at this time are not in a position to bemoan that the EPL is a one horse race. That’s for other clubs to complain about atm.
Let’s close the gap or get into top four again first before whinging that the EPL title is a one team show.
Otherwise it looks like unwarranted big talk at this point.
I don’t really sympathize with british teams struggling due to the Christmas period or playing on the CL. As you said Alexander Henry you have to rotate – but every year managers across the land bottle it and rinse their best players when push comes to shove The ironic thing is that we’d have maybe won a league back in the early 2010s if we’d been more strategic about using our squad fully. Players were beasted into injuries and then rushed back before they were ready over and over for years. For teams like Utd Chelsea and city as well… Read more »
Ishola 70
In my original post I highlighted the reasons for Arsenal’s decline in recent seasons specifically inability to maintain performance after Christmas and then over last two seasons lack of balance in midfield and shoddy defence.
These are areas that the new Manager needs to address if we are to close gap
with clubs above us.
Whether he can do so with our current squad is debatable.
Man United did actually finish nearly 20 points ahead of Arsenal last season so however much people think Man Utd are failing and they are for that certain club Arsenal have plenty of catching up to do with them.
ES Claiming that the CS should be counted as a domestic trophy is crazy Why not count the PL trophy or indeed the ICC. ? The CS is a game you want to win but even the FA whose competition it is acknowledge it’s a friendly for bookings and sending offs don’t count as it’s not considered a competitive game. This years CS came way too early to draw any conclusions for Chelsea didn’t have the likes of Hazard, Kante, and Willian available to start. Hazard a and Kante are probably Chelsea’s two star players and when they play everything… Read more »
ES
“These are areas that the new Manager needs to address if we are to close gap
with clubs above us.Whether he can do so with our current squad is debatable.”
I’d say it is unlikely if Emery wants to continue with the team press and high back line with Sokratis, Mustafi , Xjaka and Bellerin still knocking about in the first team.
I’m going to be interested in Arsenal’s goals conceded column by the end of the season.
This was an obvious weakness from the past and we were told Emery would improve upon this certain aspect.
the selling was damaging but what hurt the squad most was the 8-2 against utd and then we got a couple of very average players when wenger panick bought arteta, per, Korean ST, podolski and then to add insult to injury, Sanogoal…
Terraloon
The stats are exactly the same without inclusion of Community Shield.
Only Man City and Chelsea of top six have won EPL in last five years. Only
four of top six have won a trophy in that period.
Liverpool and Spurs despite their improvements have won nothing.
Ishola 70
Our defence continues to be fragile. We have conceded already 5 goals in first
two games of season. Until that problem is resolved we are not a top 4 team let
alone challenger for title.
ES
And yet despite these teams winning no second tier domestic trophies fans of both these clubs are happier with their lot than Arsenal atm but Spurs of course will be easily pleased.
Not just fans. Media and pundits talk more positive about Liverpool and Spurs now in comparison to Arsenal.
There are obvious reasons for this.
What is your actual point here? That Arsenal fans should be content with their lot because Wenger bagged a couple of FA Cup wins.
That Arsenal are sitting prettier than Spurs and Liverpool at this time because of those FA Cup wins?
Wow I am shocked you were allowed to criticize another person in the UK, I mean with your free speech basically removed due to the influx of Muslims especially in Londonstan.
Koscielny is running now . Looks fit -may be he will be back earlier than scheduled
A really interesting article on Shortfuse on the next 8 matches. 20 points and more and we will be in the mix
Oh look another cunt.
Shows the extent to which the club has regressed when the third game of the season, against West Ham, is seen as ‘the start of our season,’ and games against City and Chelsea (who should be our rivals) are written off as fixtures where “it would be a bonus to get anything from.”
That is pure small club / mid-table and below mentality. As a club we have to drag ourselves out of this.
Ishola 70
Happy I am not, but realistic I am.
The current team/squad is not good enough to win league title and most probably not to compete for top 4 place.
As I have said many times in the past I have been an Arsenal Supporter since
mid 50s and in that time I have seen good, bad and indifferent teams represent
the club.
At the moment we operate a very average side which is more in decline than
on the way up.
Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future.
Cultural Appropriation.
That was what Jamie Oliver was accused of with his Jerk rice.
That and it being a bit shit as well.
Apparently the Spanish were up in arms when Jamie put out his paella dish a few years back. We don’t have chirizo sausage in our paella they said. Now I like a bit of paella but all I mostly see in UK shops is paella with chirizo suasage in it just like Jamies’ one. We don’t like chirizo in paella. Sort it.
Jamie is a bit of an irritating individual though himself all said and done.
I would think this throwing in of the chirizo is an Italian influence. South Italian.
So the packaging should read Mediterranean paella not Spanish.
Seafood only if you please when Spanish is mentioned.
West Ham at home is the type of match we usually win with a comfortable scoreline.
Let’s see how Emery sets us up against an inferior side. Want to see us dominate play and create a constant stream of chances. Hope they play Wilsh and Noble in a two
Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Torreira Ramsey
Mkhi Özil Iwobi
Aubameyang
“DO NOT FORGET THE EMIRATES CUP. ”
I’m sorry but a trophy is a trophy.
The game should be won to nil against West Ham.
No good seeing a 5-2.
We were told Emery was going to tighten this team up.
If he doesn’t there was no point in hiring him.
May as well have carried on with the old fella until he dropped.
Ishola70
We’re definitely conceding with this high line Emery is adamant in playing. Don’t think he’ll adjust until one of Sokratis/Mustafi get injured or we allow five or six to a top side.
Dream10
“We’re definitely conceding with this high line Emery is adamant in playing. Don’t think he’ll adjust until one of Sokratis/Mustafi get injured or we allow five or six to a top side.”
Did you see the little heated debate between Neville and Carragher regarding sticking to your original principles or adapting to the players you have in your team?
Neville wants Emery to stick to the high line and press come what may. No adaptability. But he would wouldn’t he. He’ll be laughing down his sleeve when the goals roll in the Arsenal net.
I don’t think Arsenal will beat West Ham. This is a relegation battle and we’re only three games in. A six pointer.
Pellegrini will school Emery. Wilshere with a brace and a Barca esqe performance.
Jesus h christ the charity shield is a friendly nothing more. It goes straight to penalties and you’re allowed more than 3 subs.
Pedro
It is great to see cech doing better this year and im happy for him. But lets be real here.
Go through the preseason and league games so far.
Leno has conseded much less goals. And the teams buildup play has been lightyears better with him between the sticks.
I cant honestly understand why he isnt starting ahead of cech based on the performances he put in at preseason.
It feels almoust as irrational as ozil being asked to lead the pressing up front 🙁
Please somebody explain this to me..
“Jack Wilshere thinks this is a good time for West Ham to play Arsenal?
Rubbish, Jack! You and Mark Noble are two old men who didn’t have the legs to compete with Bournemouth. You won’t get within five yards of Guendouzi.”
I was reading the rantings of that old bore on ANR this morning and i actually chuckled at the above.
Ishola70
Yeah saw their debate. We need to mix up the press with possession. I’ll be disappointed if we don’t play good football on Saturday. Especially at home. We were
15-2-2 at the Emirates last year and averaged three goals per match. I expect us to be shaky defensively because of personnel , but goals would be welcomed.
Wilshere with a brace and a Barca esqe performance.
————————————
Plus Lucas to score a hat trick and Flappianski to save a penalty.
Guns of Hackney
Love Pelligrini. He’s a good footballing man. But if we lose to West Ham and Wilshere plays like peak Maradona, Emery should be sacked at the final whistle. Jack destroying us is a catastrophe.
Have a feeling the pace of Anderson and Antonio will trouble us.
Dream10
The pace of Teddy Sheringham would trouble us.
Marko
As I wrote you can discount the Community Shield and it does not alter the stats.
The bottom line is that there are plenty of posters on Le Grove who discount any trophy apart from EPL and Champions League.
For years we were also critical of a top four finish as well albeit many other
clubs and their supporters are more than happy with that outcome.
Far too many posters on Le Grove want to criticise just for the sake of it with very low patience threshold.
Arsenal speed test results are in:
https://mobile.twitter.com/GurjitAFC/status/1032590892153155584?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Thierry Papadopalopadous
T “Please somebody explain this to me..” Yes you are looking through rose tinted glasses if you think Leno had a real noteworthy pre-season. Cech did more of note in one half against Chelsea in that friendly than Leno did put together in his appearances in pre-season. That’s why Cech got the nod over Leno to start against Manchester City. The case is now Leno has to take the first team spot away from Cech. Not difficult you would think as some label Cech the worst and weakest link in the team and that’s something I have never agreed with.… Read more »
GunsofHackney
Lmao
What are you telling us Charlie?
That Big Papa is not slow as CB in a high line?
Or are you telling us that Big Papa is not that slow in comparison to other Arsenal players?
The bottom line is that there are plenty of posters on Le Grove who discount any trophy apart from EPL and Champions League
The bottom line is that you brought up the community shield and tried to pass it off as a serious cup. Ridiculous commentary. Again straight to pens and I believe 6 subs. Stop that
“Yes you are looking through rose tinted glasses if you think Leno had a real noteworthy pre-season.Cech did more of note in one half against Chelsea in that friendly than Leno did put together in his appearances in pre-season.”
Rose-tinted glasses? Ehhmm..they are both Arsenal players
What did Leno do wrong in preseason might i ask?
CC
It’s pointless being able to run fast if you don’t know what your running for.?
Walcott proved this .
You heard it here first.
Big Papa is not a worry as CB in a high line. He is not slow.
This despite most of the footballing fraternity noting Big Papa running on treacle for the first two Chelsea goals.
So why did he look so slow against Chelsea?
Maybe nerves slowed him down. Too nervous to run any faster.
Ishola
Pretty sure I just stated the speed tests at Arsenal are in, then posted a link to the numbers. What are you struggling with?
RH
“What did Leno do wrong in preseason might i ask?”
He didn’t do anything wrong. But he didn’t really stand out and do anything of great note either.
Cech on the other hand had a very noteworthy first half in the Chelsea friendly match.
Cech is No.1. Leno is sub and has to wait for his chance.
Would like to see Mkhitaryan at CAM for West Ham, start trying to build a midfield with Torreira and Guendouzi at the base of the midfield.
Iwobi should definitely get another start, I thought he was good against Chelsea and brings a pace and directness we completely lack otherwise. He seems to be enjoying Emery being manager and has joined the list of people claiming that there are massive benefits to the change in manager.
The choice then is whether you start Aubameyang and Lacazette together?
I can’t wait until our 34 year old speed merchant with his torn achilles tendon comes back and REALLY quickens up the defence.
Our defence has proven it’s as much use as a chocolate tea pot.
Marko
I suggest that you take a look at the reaction of Guardiola when Man City win and lose that trophy.
As far as he is concerned every trophy is important to win and the psychological impact in doing so on opposition.
Bluntly it does not matter what you and others think about this trophy. What
matters is what the coaching staff and players do and how they play in this game.
There are players slower than Xhaka? Bollox. Probably felt bad for him. Drew straws to see who was going to be slower than him
We should beat west ham. They lost at home to Bournemouth last week remember.
3-1 arsenal.
Charlie What are you struggling with? Everyone could see that Papa was in trouble with pace against Chelsea with balls over the top. Almost everybody. Why do you think he looked so slow? What slowed this speedster down in that match? What distance was this sprint chart done? Over ten yards? You said previously that the Licht would have no problem with speed and stamina previously but we have yet to see him starting a match yet even when there was selection problems at LB against Man City. The Arsenal squad overall seems very slow doesn’t it. Especially over ten… Read more »
Marko
Giroud. Slowest human I’ve seen.
Seasons change faster.
Marko
It’s MAX speed tests, Xhaka/Papa and co are perfectly mobile in full flight. It’s their acceleration that leaves a lot to be desired. Be interesting to see their 15 yard numbers side by side.
“He didn’t do anything wrong. But he didn’t really stand out and do anything of great note either.”
Ishola was he supposed to invite shots from opposition players or rush into midfield to play a defense splitting pass??
I have no issues with Cech starting the season as number one because he has earned it, i however have an issue with people making put Leno has someone done something wrong.
Ishola
Not sure your random hard on about certain players, and quizzing me over it. I posted the Arsenal speed numbers, that’s it. Get over yourself you numpty
Bluntly it does not matter what you and others think about this trophy. What matters is what the coaching staff and players do and how they play in this game. Bluntly speaking you’re trying to pass off the community shield as something that it isn’t in order to make yet another bullshit point. As per usual you talk a good game but ultimately it’s all pointless words behind a bullshit point. Things aren’t all that bad look at the comparable trophy haul we have with Man City. Hilarious really. I can’t stress this enough community shield is not a game… Read more »
Why did you post them Charlie when they are irrelevant.
If Papa has zero acceleration capabilities much like Xjaka then their overall speed mean squat diddly.
Max speed test. I’ve heard it all now.
The top speed of a footballer is generally irrelevant. It’s the acceleration over the first few meters that makes the difference. For an attacker, it’s the ability to stay away from the defender once they have the initial advantage – top speed.
However for a defender, I’d say speed of mind is more important that actual velocity. If a defender can see danger and read the game…I’d take that over speed any day.
RH
That’s right. I didn’t say he did anything wrong. Read the post again.
All those speed test results tell me is that Ozil, Xhaka and Ramsey can actually run but the question then becomes why doesn’t Ozil put in the effort or Ramsey run back into position or Xhaka run and track his man more.
Ishola
Let’s be really clear, just because you find them irrelevant doesn’t make them irrelevant. It’s evidence of who possesses the top speeds at the club.
If it’s irrelevant to you don’t comment about it you fucking idiot, and bore off with your ankle biting bollocks because I happened to share some Arsenal related info (released today) on an Arsenal blog.
Ok Charlie
But do you think Big Papa looked a problem pace wise against Chelsea with the balls over the top in the high line?
Bellerin has supposedly been the fastest sprinter at Arsenal over these past couple of seasons.
Going forward, maybe.
Tracking back, definitely not.
Big Papa was very disappointing for the second goal in particular against Chelsea. He let Pedro run away from him too easily for the first but the second goal he was more disappointing. This was because he was level in line with Mustafi when the ball was played over the top for Morata and he was closest to Morata as well in comparison to Mustafi when the ball was lofted over. But he showed zero awareness of Morata in the play despite being nearest to him. Mustafi showed awareness but failed in his attempts to stop Morata. Mustafi gets slated… Read more »
Ishola you’ve definitely got a chub for Sokratis. Painfully obvious you’ve given up on him and that’s that
Marko
I have big worries about him defensively in a team that press in a high line.
Don’t you?
Or do you disagree?
Also Marko I notice plenty like to just slate established players and don’t go after the new signings.
I don’t go for that.
If a new signing worries me I will say so.
As well as dearest Xjaka.
Speed of thought and a positive mindset is more important than “Run Forrest Run”.
Bellerin is the quickest, but he’s utter shite at present.
Arsenal are apparently sticking to their offer with regards to Ramsey and are way off his £220 000 a week demand.
Good on them, we made one mistake in terms of wages because of a similar situation, don’t make it again. Sell him in January if you can, no way should we tie ourselves to Ramsey on £220 000 a week for 4 years.
The madness has to stop somewhere.
The weakest link in this arsenal squad is Hector imo .
Bacary was good right back, though shit in crossing the ball..he did a decent job defensively with little or no help from Theo or Merts.
We have struggled since his departure
Expect all teams to target our right flank..
Do you know that most serious sprinters are faster than Usain Bolt……..over 5 metres!
I would advise not to play a high line against Usain.
Ishola
Xhaka -Xjaka
Tell me what’s going on here ?
Also Marko I notice plenty like to just slate established players and don’t go after the new signings.I don’t go for that
I’ve noticed. Hey I’m dubious of Papa and Lichtsteiner but I’ll be less inclined to scrutinize every single mistake they make this early as opposed to the continuous mistakes by Xhaka, Bellerin and Mustafi. But you keep going son
Your Comment HereUsain one on one with a determined goalkeeper.?
OH DEAR.?
The tests on Torreira were quite interesting though.
Suggests he ties up over longer distances,and that’s not good if we want him to develop into a top level box-to-box midfielder.
Sagna was brilliant, Christ we miss a player like him at Rb. Bellerin is a shadow of that sort
CA I personally wouldn’t give a shit about even losing Ramsey on a free next summer. Honestly. I know we’re leaving imaginary money on the table by not selling him (I say imaginary because it doesn’t appear anyone actually wants him) but fact of the matter is that if we sign him to a new deal we ain’t getting rid of him anytime soon.
Lauren for me.
Lauren was brilliant of course, Sagan was just brilliant and more this era hence why I’m pining after someone like him.
Hector is all aboard the hype train and little else
Xjaka my fav player so I like to highlight him more with more exotic spelling of his name. Marko I was fair I thought on Papa when he was signed. Said he had good points but weak ones as well and we had to wait and see. Made no comment on him against Man City because he didn’t do anything wrong even if he had a quiet match. As long as the CB is not making mistakes then you are halfway there. But he was disappointing against Chelsea in the first half in the high line. I don’t rate Mustafi… Read more »
Cesc,
What do you think is a fair wage for Ramsey if we resigned him?
Marko
Agreed.
We’re already wasting a massive amount of money in wages as it stands. Better to sell him if we can or just let him leave and learn from the error.
Ole
He’s on £110 000 already I think, so maybe something like £150 000, it is all a bit arbitrary picking numbers out of the air but he certainly is not worth approaching £200 000 let alone over, neither is Ozil for that matter but we’re f****d there already.
Cesc,
Yeah I’d pay him 150k but on a shorter deal, say 2-3 years.
Then if he crumbles we can still sell him and get a fee, cut our losses early without having crippled ourselves financially or with a bum wage deal.
From Wenger tactics to their fastest or slowest player to wages of Ramsey.
This place always brings up issues to be discussed by repeatedly also.
Ramsey will only deserve his wages if he players deservingly consistently.
Paulinho
“Suggests he ties up over longer distances,and that’s not good if we want him to develop into a top level box-to-box midfielder”
Don’t quite get it do you.. Torriera is not a box to box midfielder… From what I saw in the world cup, he is most effective sitting in front of the defence offering protection and is tidy on the ball.
So let’s forget about all this box to box nonsense
Say what you like about Ed Woodward, but he was great in the Equaliser and The Wicker Man.
Looks good to see a live dissection of the late frog , sorry Fraud Wenger. In psychology would be self realisation, coming to terms with old psychosis and thereafter moving on to normal life. That was the atmosphere in the room with some unmentionables who can see seem to be improving from their rabid paranoia’s.
Regarding the speed statistics, could be a mind game. But putting Big Papa up there and Xhaka respectable, has taken away the impact. To mention as well that Aubameyang is an experienced players and doubt he would post such statistics without nod from Emery
By the way it is not nice coming back from 3 weeks from beautiful Michigan at this time of the year
Grrrr
When the world ends the cockroach will survive, like the pest did from the days of the dinasaur.
In other news , Arsene Wenger will receive the highest honour from the President of Liberia, apparently land of the surviving AKB
Pierre – You really are a clueless tit.
Check out some of his goals for Sampdoria and you will see he can go forward and score with 20 yard shots. He has that in his locker and I hope he uses it.
Educate yourself beyond superficial cliched ideas of how players in certain positions are supposed to play according to the little box you put them in.
So many examples which show Wenger not doing tactics yet still his blind followers refuse to believe.
What has Wenger done for the people or nation of Liberia?
Why is he accepting such as a meaningless award?
Typical Wenger stuff.
if you don’t know then sink this in – George Weah is the president of Liberia and the man owes his career to him
You are in no position to tell a him how he lives his life.
if he so chooses to accept a meaningless award (as stated by you), then so be it.
there is a reason he but not you is chosen for it.